Child-rearing antecedents of intergenerational relations in young adulthood: A prospective study.

Abstract

Data gathered from mothers on parenting and family climate when almost 1,000 children in the Dunedin, New Zealand, longitudinal study were 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, and 15 years of age were used to predict intergenerational relations between young adult children (age 26) and their middle-aged parents. Analyses focused on distinct developmental epochs revealed greater prediction from the middle-childhood and early-adolescent periods than from the early-childhood years: most indicated that more supportive family environments and child-rearing experiences in the family of origin forecasted more positive and less negative parent-child relationships (in terms of contact, closeness, conflict, reciprocal assistance) in young adulthood, though associations were modest in magnitude. Some evidence indicated that (modestly) deleterious effects on intergenerational relations of experiencing relatively unsupportive child-rearing environments in 1 but not 2 (of 3) developmental periods studied could be offset by relatively supportive family environments in the remaining developmental periods.

Organization of Parent Knowledge

“…Belsky and colleagues (Belsky et al, 2001;Belsky et al, 2003) have investigated relationships between adult children and their parents using a model of family solidarity (cf. Roberts, Richards, & Bengston, 1991) that suggests that the family is a social group in which interrelated relationship dimensions shape the family across adulthood (Rossi & Rossi, 1990).…”

“…Because previous literature has defined closeness in intergenerational relationships in a variety of ways (i.e., amount of interdependence, influence, intimacy, and social support) several measures were included to ensure a thorough examination of this relationship dimension. To measure the level of perceived interdependence within the relationship, participants completed items revised by Belsky and colleagues (Belsky et al, 2001;Belsky et al, 2003) assessing intergenerational assistance. For these items, participants (separately) rated the amount of assistance they gave and received from their parents in the following forms: financial, care when sick, help with travel, home maintenance, information and advice concerning relationships, and emotional support when upset.…”

“…Participants indicated both their current and ideal levels of contact with their parents using a modified version of the questions revised by Belsky and colleagues (Belsky et al, 2001;Belsky et al, 2003) assessing intergenerational contact (face-to-face, phone, and e-mail). Although Belsky and colleagues traditionally use only measures of current contact in intergenerational relationships, it is possible that depending on the level of control children have in their relationships with their parents, the amount of contact children experience in their relationships and the amount of contact they desire for these relationships may be different.…”

Organization of Parent Knowledge: Compartmentalization and Integration in Adult Child-Parent Relationships

“…There is considerable ambiguity, however, as to what defines the quality of relationships between adult children and their parents. Belsky, Jaffee, Hsieh, and Silva (2001) adopted a model of family solidarity in which interrelated relationship dimensions shape the family across adulthood. They proposed two main components of solidarity, affectional solidarity (feelings of love and appreciation, dependence, good communication and understanding, lack of conflict) and associational solidarity (degree of contact between the parent and child and amount of reciprocal assistance in the relationship), highlighting the characteristics of closeness, contact, and conflict in relationships.…”

A importância das relações parentais frente aos problemas de comportamento na infância: convergências teóricas

“…Estudos têm revelado que os problemas de comportamento são, frequentemente, associados a dificuldades na escola e na vida familiar de crianças e adolescentes, tais como: fracasso escolar (Deslandes e cols., 1998;Ferreira & Marturano, 2002; Glaskow e cols., 1997), problemas de relacionamentos interpessoais (Bolsoni-Silva & Marturano, 2002;Deslandes e cols., 1998;Dodge e cols., 1994;Grusec & Goodnow, 1994) e violência intra e extrafamiliar (Belsky, 1990;Belsky, Jaffee, Hsieh, & Silva, 2001;Patterson, Reid, & Dishion, 1992; Petit e cols., 1997).…”